Apparatus, system and method for charging a mobile device

ABSTRACT

A charging apparatus, system, and method capable of charging a mobile device. The apparatus, system and method may include at least an attachment mechanism capable of attaching to a surface; a sensor associated with said attachment mechanism and capable of receiving energy generated upon the surface, wherein the received energy is converted to electrical current; and a port electrically communicative with said sensor and capable of receiving the electrical current, and of providing that electrical current to the mobile device.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to mobile devices, and, moreparticularly, to an apparatus, system and method for charging a mobiledevice

2. Background of the Disclosure

It is well established, particularly with the ubiquitous nature ofmobile devices, such as cellular phones and tablet computers, thatmaintaining a device's charge to allow for use when needed is oftendifficult in certain circumstances and environments. For example, thosewho travel frequently in the modern era may make use of in-airport,in-store, in-train station, and the like charging stations, in which amobile device may be charged, generally for a fee, or weary travelersmay be forced to seek out one of a limited number of electrical outletsavailable in a train station, department store, or airport. Suchcharging opportunities notwithstanding, it is an inevitability thatusers who are frequently “on the road” will encounter a situation inwhich a mobile device is low on charge, is needed for use, and nocharging unit, plug, or in-vehicle charger or outlet is available.Further, it may be undesirable for a user to use the aforementionedcharging stations when the monetary charges for charging one's mobiledevice is significant, such as on the order of several dollars or more.

For example, it is often the case that business persons are highlydependent on mobile devices, and frequently travel on airplanes. It istypical in an airplane setting that there is not a charging portavailable, other than by using other devices available to the traveler.For example, if a traveler is highly dependent on her iPhone, andadditionally carries a laptop, to the extent the iPhone loses charge onthe plane, the user may plug the iPhone into her laptop to recharge theiPhone. Of course, the laptop, both due to being turned on and due tocharging the iPhone, will thereby lose its charge. Consequently, theuser may reach her destination having one device with a low level or nocharge, and another device with no charge at all, and accordingly theuser may have to make a decision as to the relative importance of herdevices prior to reaching her destination.

Therefore, the need exists for a simple methodology and apparatus forcharging one's mobile device, particularly for a relatively inexpensiveper use cost, or at a relatively inexpensive initial cost alone.

SUMMARY

The present invention is and includes at least a charging apparatus,system, and method capable of charging a mobile device. The apparatus,system and method may include at least an attachment mechanism capableof attaching to a surface; a sensor associated with said attachmentmechanism and capable of receiving energy generated upon the surface,wherein the received energy is converted to electrical current; and aport electrically communicative with said sensor and capable ofreceiving the electrical current, and of providing that electricalcurrent to the mobile device.

The method according hereto may include providing an attachmentmechanism attachment capable of attaching to a surface; providing asensor associated with said attachment mechanism and capable ofreceiving energy generated upon the surface; converting the receivedenergy to electrical current; and receiving, at a port electricallycommunicative with said sensor and capable of receiving the electricalcurrent, an electrical connection to the mobile device

Therefore, the present invention provides at least a simple methodologyand apparatus for charging one's mobile device, particularly for arelatively inexpensive per use cost, or at a relatively inexpensiveinitial cost alone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The disclosure will be described in conjunction with the followingfigures, in which like numerals represent like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the features of an exemplary embodimentof a charging system according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures and descriptions provided herein may be simplified toillustrate aspects of the described embodiments that are relevant for aclear understanding of the herein disclosed processes, machines,manufactures, and/or compositions of matter, while eliminating for thepurpose of clarity other aspects that may be found in similar devices,systems, and methods. Those of ordinary skill may thus recognize thatother elements and/or steps may be desirable or necessary to implementthe devices, systems, and methods described herein. Because suchelements and steps are well known in the art, and because they do notfacilitate a better understanding of the disclosed embodiments, adiscussion of such elements and steps may not be provided herein.However, the present disclosure is deemed to inherently include all suchelements, variations, and modifications to the described aspects thatwould be known to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the instantinvention. As is evident in FIG. 1, the system of present invention mayinclude an attachment mechanism 110 for placing a solar, vibration, orlike sensor 112 into a situation whereby the sensor will receive thatstimulation which is needed to generate an electrical current 114 forcharging a mobile device 116. For example, in a solar sensor 112embodiment, a solar cell 112 may receive energy from the sun, and maygenerate therefrom an electrical current that represents the conversionof the solar energy to electricity. Likewise, a vibration sensor 112,such as a transducer, may receive kinetic energy, such as in the form ofmovement or vibration, and may convert that kinematic energy intoelectricity.

The attachment mechanism 110 may include, for example, a suction cup, areusable adhesive, or the like. The electricity generating sensor 112may be associated with the attachment mechanism and may be therebyattached into an environment whereby the sensor is sufficientlystimulated to generate electricity. For example, in a suction cup 110and solar cell 112 embodiment, the solar cell may be embed within, ormounted on, the suction cup, and the suction cup may be suitablyattached to a window that is receiving or will receive sunlight, such asan airplane window. Likewise, a mounting attachment having a preferablyreusable light adhesive may be attached to, for example, an airplanemeal tray or an airplane armrest in a position such that sunlight willbe received. Yet further, and by way of nonlimiting example, a circularmount having associated therewith a vibration transducer maybe attachedto an area of an airplane wall adjacent to a window, whereby vibrationsupon the outer surface of the airplane will be transduced toelectricity, and/or whereby sunlight may be received. Those skilled inthe pertinent arts will appreciate that the attachment mechanism may beof any shape suitable for temporary attachment to a desirable surface.Moreover, those skilled in the pertinent arts will appreciate thatmultiple different sensors 112 may be included on, or otherwiseassociated with, a single mount of attachment mechanism 110, or withmultiple mounts, or with multiple attachment mechanisms, such as toprovide various charging capabilities within a single charging deviceand system.

In a more particular exemplary embodiment, the electricity generatingsensor 112 associated with the attachment mechanism 110 may be wellsuited for portability and mounting, such as mounting to a suction cup,without being sufficiently heavy to pull a suction cup off of a windowmounting surface. Accordingly, a thin filament solar paper may beemployed as the “solar cell” or “solar sensor” discussed herein. Such athin filament solar paper is sufficiently light so as to not affect themountability of a suction cup to a window, but is still sufficientlysensitive so as to capture solar energy and convert that energy toelectricity suitable for charging a connected mobile device.

The sensor 112 may be mounted to attachment mechanism by any suitablemeans. For example, sensor 112 may be embedded within the mount, oradhered to a surface of its mount, such as covered by a protectivelayer. In any case, it is preferable that the mounting of the sensor 112not interfere with its functionality. For example, a sensor 112 thatsenses kinetic energy should not be so embedded in a mount that itsability to sense kinetic energy is insulated, and likewise a solarsensor should not be deeply embedded in an insulating, such as a thickor heavily colored, mount.

Additionally associated with the attachment mechanism having mountedthereto the electricity generating sensor may be a port 120 suitable forproviding the generated electricity to the mobile device. Such a portmay comprise a hardwired wire electrically connected to, and hencesuitable for receiving the electricity generated from, the sensor,wherein such energy may be collected in a capacitor or the like. Theport 120 may additionally be or include, by way of nonlimiting example,a micro USB, mini USB, USB, proprietary, or like port into which auser's mobile device charging cord may be inserted. Yet further, theoutput port of the electricity generating sensor may run through a wireto, or may otherwise include within its circuit, a transformer, or thelike, which may be physically disassociated with the attachmentmechanism but-for the wire that passes the electricity generated fromthe sensor to the transformer.

As is evident based on the foregoing disclosure, the generatedelectricity may ultimately be output, either from a hard wire connectedto the sensor by the attachment mechanism, or by a plug inserted intothe output port, to the mobile device for charging of the mobile device.Such ultimate charging may be provided to the mobile device by, forexample, a micro USB, mini USB, USB, one or more proprietary plugs, orthe like, that are accepted and those physically received by a port inthe device.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated in exemplaryforms with a certain degree of particularity, it is noted that thedescription and illustrations have been made by way of example only.Numerous changes in the details of construction, combination, andarrangement of parts and steps may be made. Accordingly, such changesare intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure, theprotected scope of which is defined by the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A charging apparatus capable of charging a mobiledevice, comprising: an attachment mechanism capable of attaching to asurface; a sensor associated with said attachment mechanism and capableof receiving energy generated upon the surface, wherein the receivedenergy is converted to electrical current; and a port electricallycommunicative with said sensor and capable of receiving the electricalcurrent, and of providing that electrical current to the mobile device.